Male Sex Hormones May Influence the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Young Men

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the sex hormone status of young male patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to investigate whether there were any differences in bowel symptoms related to the hormone levels. Methods: Thirty-eight young male patients with IBS were compared with 20 healthy young men. Details of symptoms were collected by a structured questionnaire. Each subject underwent a blood test and colonoscopy. The blood test included serum testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Based on the questionnaire, patients were classified as having diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) or constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C). Results: Among the 38 patients with IBS, 24 had IBS-D and 14 had IBS-C. The patients had higher levels of testosterone and SHBG than did the controls (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the IBS-D and IBS-C group with regard to the testosterone and SHBG levels (p > 0.05). There was also no difference in the duration and severity of symptoms between these 2 groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Sex hormone status in young men differ from those in older men and may play an important role in the pathophysiology of IBS, regardless of the dominant symptom type.

Sex-Gender Differences in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

“…48 A recent study showed that middle-aged men with IBS tended to have lower levels of luteinizing hormone than healthy men, and that IBS symptomatology tended to be inversely related to testosterone. 49 In addition, Kim et al 50 demonstrated elevated levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) as well as testosterone, in young, male IBS patients compared to controls, suggesting that high SHBG concentration may play a role in the development of IBS.…”

The joint power of sex and stress to modulate brain–gut–microbiota axis and intestinal barrier homeostasis: implications for irritable bowel syndrome

“…In fact, testosterone levels correlated negatively with pain thresholds of rectal distension and overall well‐being in IBS patients . Others have reported that elevated levels sex hormone‐binding globulin level may influence the symptoms of IBS in young men . Interestingly, a highly significant reduction in male‐trait scores in men with IBS has been published …”

“…230 Others have reported that elevated levels sex hormone-binding globulin level may influence the symptoms of IBS in young men. 231 Interestingly, a highly significant reduction in male-trait scores in men with IBS has been published. 232 Clinical manifestations of IBS are associated at gut level with mucosal inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, and intestinal permeability.…”

Androgen regulation of bowel function in mice and humans

“…IBS is a common and debilitating functional GI disorder of unclear etiology that is characterized by abdominal pain and altered stool patterns (diarrhea, constipation, or both). Two studies in which testosterone levels were measured by immunoassay in small groups of males with IBS found associations between testosterone levels and GI symptoms 25,26 , suggesting that altered androgen signaling might play a role in IBS. To test this possibility more rigorously, we used a highly-sensitive mass spectrometry assay to measure serum total testosterone, percent free testosterone, and DHT levels in 208 patients with IBS at the baseline visit of a randomized controlled trial designed to test a therapeutic intervention (Clinical Trials.gov NCT02802241) 27 .…”